The Most Scandalous Gender Salary Gaps In Hollywood Which Shows Us The Sad Truth About Industry And Its Inequality

Gender inequality and pay gaps between male and female colleagues has become a burning issue in the modern world. This problem has branched out to show business and alarming gaps between men and women costars in the industry has raised a lot of controversies.

In fact the highest paid actress of 2018, Scarlett Johansson made a jaw-dropping $198.5 million less than the highest paid actor of the year, George Clooney. To add to this more than 6 male actors topped the actress in earnings in 2018.

Johansson earned a measly $40.5 million in 2018 as compared to George Clooney who earned $239 million. Scarlett Johansson's net worth is $140 million as of May 2019 and Clooney is worth $500 Million.

On average as per data from Forbes, the top 10 highest paid actresses made only 24.8 percent of what their male counterparts made during the same year. Forbes also reported that the top 10 male superstars brought in a combined $748.5 million whereas the top 10 women highest earning women made a combined $186 million.

We have listed specific cases of gender pay gaps which caused the most controversy and buzz below.

Controversial Cases Of Gender Pay Gaps In Hollywood

1. Mark Wahlberg And Michelle Williams (“All the Money in the World”)

Costars of the film All the Money in the World Mark Wahlberg And Michelle Williams worked on the film as equally important characters and shared the screen for the majority of the movie’s runtime but Williams was only paid $625,000 while Wahlberg took home a reported $5 million.

Michelle posing for a photo for Vanity Fair

Similarly, Williams whose net worth is $16 million and Wahlberg who is worth $255 million also did reshoots for the film after the Kevin Spacey scandal. Mark demanded around $1.5 million for reshoots but Williams shockingly got less than $1000.

2. Diane Keaton And Jack Nicholson (“Something's Gotta Give”)

Hollywood and fans consider themselves lucky to have legends like Diane Keaton And Jack Nicholson. Both have worked in the industry for incredibly long and both have worked in legendary films. Although both actors are legends in their own right, Keaton did not get back-end pay for her work in "Something's Gotta Give," while Nicholson got paid.

Diane Keaton's head shot

The film grossed over $266 million worldwide after its release and Keaton wrote about her not getting back-end pay in her memoir.

Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson gave her a cheque 2 years after the film was released and it was confirmed that he had given her half of his own profits.

3. Jessica Chastain And Matt Damon (“The Martian”)

While The Martian was a film primarily focused on the character of Matt Damon who was stranded on Mars, his costar was paid only $1.75 million while Damon earned $25 million.

Chastain making an appearance on the red carpet

Her role in the film may not have been the main role but she was paid substantially less than Matt. This news of her low pay rates created international controversy.

4. Gillian Anderson And David Duchovny (“The X-Files”)

The X-Files is a world-famous TV show with viewers from every corner of the world, the main stars of the show are Gillian Anderson And David Duchovny. According to various online sources, Anderson was only paid half of what Duchovny earned.

A professinally shot photo of Anderson

Duchovny (worth $60 million) earned around $225 Thousand Per Episode as per data from Celebritynetworth, Anderson (worth $35 million) was only getting half of his reported salary from the show.

5. Amanda Seyfried In A Big Budget Movie

Mamma Mia (2008) star Amanda Seyfried anonymously revealed that she only got a measly 10% of what her male costar earned in a big budget movie.

Seyfried at an event

Seyfried has not revealed the exact movie and costar but fans believe she was referring to Dear John in which she co-starred alongside Channing Tatum. Seyfried has a net worth of $10 million as of May 2019.

6. Ellen Pompeo And Patrick Dempsey (“Grey's Anatomy”)

Despite playing the main role on the globally acclaimed series Grey's Anatomy Ellen Pompeo was paid less than her love interest on the show Patrick Dempsey.

Pompeo on her show

She quoted that "At one point, I asked for $5,000 more than him just on principle because the show is 'Grey's Anatomy' and I'm Meredith Grey. They wouldn't give it to me,"

Pompeo has a net worth of around $40 million and Dempsey is worth around $60 million as of May 2019.